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bbc.com
Pop-up shop helps families cope with rising costs
Customers receive tokens to claim up to 10 free items, from clothing to everyday home essentials.
cnbc.com
South Korea's Kospi hits record high amid mixed Asia markets as hopes linger for Mideast peace
Korea's Kospi hits fresh intraday high, amid mixed Asian markets as investors brushed aside fresh threats from Trump on Iran ahead of a fragile ceasefire deadline.
bbc.com
Charity offers 'stigma-free' food poverty service
The Devon charity shop lets food bank users select items rather than be given pre-prepared parcels.
bbc.com
'Price of red diesel is putting us in the red'
Lincolnshire grower says rising costs have forced her to reconsider her son's nursery fees.
cnbc.com
‘New cards on the battlefield’: U.S., Iran ratchet up rhetoric with peace talks in limbo
American negotiators may be outmatched at the negotiating table by Iran's experienced diplomatic delegation, says analyst, ahead of potential high-stakes meeting.
cnbc.com
Nvidia supplier Victory Giant sees shares soar 60% in Hong Kong debut
Shares of Victory Giant Technology surged in what is Hong Kong's largest initial public offering debut so far this year.
cnbc.com
Oil falls as investors assess mixed messaging on Iran peace talks ahead of ceasefire deadline
West Texas Intermediate and Brent had settled 7% and 5% higher on Monday.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Ternus turns the page at Apple
15 years after Tim Cook took the reins from Steve Jobs, Apple will see another transition: John Ternus will become CEO on September 1 from Cook.
bbc.com
Government to propose electricity price changes in clean power push
The war in the Middle East has brought renewed attention to Britain's vulnerability to energy price shocks.
bbc.com
The 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough
A stellarator is difficult to build, but could it be the best way to make fusion energy work?
bbc.com
The 20-somethings juggling three jobs to make ends meet
While UK unemployment is at a five-year-high, increasing numbers of those in work have more than one job.
bbc.com
Petrol thefts surge as Iran war pushes up fuel costs
One petrol retailer says he is experiencing about five drive-offs a week at each forecourt, costing him thousands.
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: China ships more humanoid robots than the U.S. as investors diverge on AI bets
Chinese startups are churning out more humanoid robots than their U.S. rivals, despite far lower valuations.
theguardian.com
UK shifts older wind and solar farms to fixed-price deals to reduce price shocks
Move marks government’s most radical attempt to weaken impact of soaring wholesale gas prices on electricity costsClean energy generation exceeded rise in global electricity demand in 2025The government has confirmed plans to move older wind and solar farms which make up almost a third of Great Britain’s power market on to fixed-price contracts to help protect households and businesses from future gas market shocks.Under the plans, first revealed by the Guardian, renewable energy projects that earn subsidies on top of the market price will be asked to sign up to contracts that pay a set price for electricity as part of the government’s plan to “delink the price of electricity from the price of gas”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Apple names new chief executive to replace Tim Cook
John Ternus will take over running the technology giant as Cook steps up to become executive chairman.
cnbc.com
Apple taps John Ternus as CEO to replace Tim Cook, who will become chairman
Apple said on Monday that John Ternus is succeeding Tim Cook as CEO, with Cook assuming the role of executive chairman on Sept. 1.
theguardian.com
Tim Cook to step down as Apple chief as John Ternus named replacement
Cook, who will stay on as executive chair, praises head of hardware engineering, who will take over on 1 SeptemberApple announced on Monday that it had named a replacement for Tim Cook as CEO after nearly 15 years, with head of hardware engineering John Ternus succeeding him on 1 September. Cook will stay at the company in the role of executive chair.“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being,” Cook said in a press release. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Are insider traders making millions from the Iran war?
The BBC has found suspicious trading patterns that correlate with some of the president's most market-moving statements.
cnbc.com
Amazon to invest up to another $25 billion in Anthropic as part of AI infrastructure deal
Amazon is boosting its investment in Anthropic, which is committing to spending over $100 billion on Amazon cloud services over the next decade.
bbc.com
Oil prices rise after Trump says Iranian ship seized
Energy markets have seen wild swings since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.
cnbc.com
AST SpaceMobile shares drop after its satellite is placed in wrong orbit by Bezos' Blue Origin
Blue Origin acknowledged the satellite was placed in the wrong orbit, but has not commented since it was deemed lost.
bbc.com
Blue Origin rocket grounded after satellite 'mishap'
The firm founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is investigating the failed launch.
theguardian.com
Emails show Amazon colluding with other firms to raise prices, California authorities allege
The previously redacted messages were unveiled as part of an antitrust battle with California attorney general Rob BontaEmails released on Monday by California’s attorney general show Amazon allegedly colluding with other companies to raise the prices of pet treats, khaki pants, eyedrops and other products sold online.According to a newly unsealed court filing released by attorney general Rob Bonta, Amazon employees have repeatedly worked with vendors using its platform to push retail vendors including Walmart and Chewyto set higher prices collectively.The ones that went up on Amazon immediately went up on Chewy Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Climate groups sue US government over approval of new BP project in Gulf of Mexico
Advocates expressed alarm as new project drills deeper into ocean bed, pointing to company’s failures at Deepwater Horizon spillSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxEnvironmental groups have sued the Trump administration over its approval of BP’s huge new ultra-deep oil drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico, 16 years to the day since the company’s Deepwater Horizon disaster caused the worst oil spill in US history. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Tariff refunds begin on Monday. These retailers are due big paydays
U.S. importers, such as Walmart and Target, could be in line for billions in tariff refunds as the government launches its claims-filing portal on Monday.
theguardian.com
Mobile phones to be banned in schools in England under new plans
Government amendment to children’s wellbeing and schools bill to replace existing guidance with statutory banA ban on mobile phones in schools in England is to be introduced by the government to ensure that “critical safeguarding legislation” is passed.The government will table an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill in the House of Lords after the bill was held up by peers on opposition benches. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Hormuz disruptions hit China’s Christmas capital — and holiday spending
Manufacturers told CNBC that shoppers will likely have to pay higher prices to match rising costs of plastic and other materials.
bbc.com
Trump tariff refunds begin but consumers likely to miss out
Businesses can apply online through a portal for refunds expected to total $160bn.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the EU and Israel: moving beyond mere exhortation | Editorial
Benjamin Netanyahu has brushed aside European concerns over Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. A tougher approach from Brussels is overdueIn recent months, European expressions of concern over the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have regularly hardened into outright condemnation. Last September, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed horror and outrage at aid restrictions that she said created a “man-made famine” in Gaza. Brussels has inveighed against settler violence and land grabs in the West Bank, which undermine the possibility of a viable Palestinian state. Responding to the bombing of Lebanon following the US-Israeli ceasefire with Iran, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said: “Israel’s right to self-defence does not justify this destruction.”The angry words and exhortations have achieved nothing. Mr Netanyahu and his ministers have generally treated European critics with barely concealed contempt, presumably reassured by the fact that their chief allies in the White House tend to behave in exactly the same fashion. The EU is Israel’s biggest trading partner, and the academic benefits it confers through Israeli participation in the Horizon research programme are considerable. But internal disunity, and an overoptimistic faith in the power of persuasion, have led to a reluctance by the bloc to use those relationships as leverage.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Chair nominee Kevin Warsh says Fed must ‘stay in its lane’ to maintain independence
Warsh also expressed firm commitment to fighting inflation with only one mention of the labor market.
theguardian.com
Oil prices rise and markets fall after US seizure of ship hits Iran peace deal hopes
FTSE 100 slides and UK gas prices up amid fears strait of Hormuz will be closed for extended periodOil prices rose sharply and European stock markets fell on Monday after the US seizure of an Iranian vessel dented hopes for a peace deal.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by 5% to about $95 a barrel. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Elon Musk snubs Paris legal summons over alleged child abuse images on X
Billionaire owner elects not to attend voluntary interview as part of investigation by French cybercrime unitElon Musk did not appear on Monday for a voluntary interview with lawyers in Paris, who had summoned the American tech billionaire over an investigation into his social media platform X and AI chatbot Grok.The prosecutors told AFP that they had “taken note of the absence of the first people summoned”, without mentioning Musk’s name. The billionaire called the French authorities involved “retards” weeks earlier in a French-language post on X. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lord Skidelsky obituary
Economic historian and politician who was a leading authority on the life and work of John Maynard KeynesIn the summer of 2008, Robert Skidelsky, who has died aged 86, thought he was done with John Maynard Keynes. Having devoted two decades to writing his biography of the foremost British economist of the 20th century, he was turning his attention to other interests.For Skidelsky, completing the three volumes had been a labour of love. He had moved into Keynes’s Sussex home so that he would pick up the right vibes, configuring the study so that it looked as it had in the 1930s. He wrote at the same desk that Keynes had used. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for $250 million over alcohol abuse claims
The Atlantic article said FBI Director Kash Patel "has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences."
bbc.com
Another flight leaves passengers behind due to border delays
New European border rules have caused delays at airports across the continent, affecting flights.
theguardian.com
Polymarket in fundraising talks that could value the prediction platform at $15bn
Bets placed on Middle East conflict has led to US firm experiencing big increase in volumePolymarket, the online prediction platform that hosts bets on events such as the Iran war, is in talks to raise $400m (£296m) at a valuation of up to $15bn.The company has gained notoriety in recent months over wagers placed on the Middle East conflict, including on the timing of US-Israel strikes against Iran, and on a US-Iran ceasefire, some of which appeared to bear signs of insider trading. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Investors are misreading news about the Iran war, analysts say as markets whipsaw
Monday's declines put the brakes on another rapid recovery in global stock indexes akin to last year's 'liberation day' bounce.
cnbc.com
European stocks slide as Gulf tanker attacks threaten fragile ceasefire
European stocks traded lower on Monday as traders assess a re-acceleration in U.S.-Iran tensions.
theguardian.com
Iran war energy crisis: how bad could it get? – The Latest
Oil and gas prices have jumped again as shipping through the strait of Hormuz came to a virtual standstill after Iran closed the waterway over the US blockade and Donald Trump announced an Iranian cargo ship had been seized trying to get past. Tehran has accused Washington of violating the fragile ceasefire agreement. With uncertainty over a second round of peace talks, fears continue to grow about the scale of the energy shock caused by the war. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose Continue reading...
cnbc.com
'Resumption of hostilities': Seized ship, vessel attacks push U.S.-Iran ceasefire toward brink
A U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship and reports of vessels coming under fire in the Gulf have pushed a fragile ceasefire with Tehran to the brink.
cnbc.com
Kevin Warsh would be the first tech bro Fed chair. How Silicon Valley shaped him
The nominee to lead the Fed is an AI optimist who counts tech titans Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen among his friends.
theguardian.com
Trump administration begins refunding more than $166bn in tariffs
Claims system launches months after supreme court ruled Trump had no legal authority to impose tariffsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe Trump administration has begun accepting applications from businesses seeking refunds for more than $166bn in tariffs, months after the supreme court ruled that the president had no legal authority to impose them.The administration launched on Monday the digital claims system, named Cape, which they said in court filings could handle about 63% of affected import filings, with the remainder to follow. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Eli Lilly agrees to acquire cancer drug maker Kelonia in deal worth up to $7 billion
Kelonia is developing technology to reprogram patients' T-cells inside the body so those cells can attack cancer, called in vivo CAR-T.
cnbc.com
American Airlines falls after company dismisses talk of United megamerger
American Airlines stock fell after the company dismissed talk of a potential merger with United, citing antitrust concerns and potential harm to competition.
theguardian.com
Tube strikes: how disruptive will action by London Underground drivers be?
RMT has called action in two 24-hour tranches this week over opposition to four-day working patternA strike by London Underground drivers will severely disrupt transport in the capital over the next four days.The RMT union and Transport for London (TfL) said that the strike would go ahead from midday on Tuesday 21 April, with no last-minute talks planned on Monday. Continue reading...
bbc.com
The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency
The BBC has found a pattern of spikes in trades ahead of public announcements by the US president.
theguardian.com
US seizes Iranian-flagged ship that tried to pass strait of Hormuz blockade – video
The US military attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday. The US president, Donald Trump, said the vessel, named Touska, had tried to get around the US naval blockade of the strait of Hormuz. Iran’s joint military command described the seizure as an act of 'armed piracy' and vowed to retaliate Continue reading...
bbc.com
New media space opens in Hull to help city's creatives
Hull’s creative scene has a new home, with green screens, cameras and a mini radio studio.
theguardian.com
Pakistan seeks to raise its global standing in push for Middle East peace
Islamabad has seized chance to act as mediator in Iran war and hopes to reap diplomatic and economic benefitsAs Pakistan works frantically to narrow differences between Iran and the US in its newfound role as global peacemaker, it is also seeking to recast its diplomatic standing and attract business.Pakistani officials, mediating between an unpredictable US president and hardliners in Tehran, were on Monday trying to coax both sides to put the conditions in place for a second round of talks in Islamabad this week, including easing the standoff in the strait of Hormuz. Pakistan was optimistic that the meeting would happen, viewing objections voiced by the Iranian side and Donald Trump’s threats as posturing for domestic audiences. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Victoria Beckham ties up with Gap as retailer hopes luxe push will drive comeback
Ex-Mattel boss behind Barbiemania pivots retailer towards more premium fashion after reopening UK storesFrom the 80s through to the early noughties it was the go-to high street store for casual hoodies and jeans, before falling out of favour. Now almost 30 years after its heyday, Gap is hoping to turn things around. Key to its comeback strategy? A pivot to more premium fashion.On Friday the retailer will unveil a collection with the luxury fashion designer Victoria Beckham. The collaboration is the next step in the luxification of Gap being led by Richard Dickson, who joined Gap Inc as its president and chief executive from Mattel, the US toymaker, in 2023. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Are insider traders making millions from the Iran war?
The BBC has found significant spikes in activity shortly before the US president made some announcements.
bbc.com
Car recall warning: could yours be at risk of fire?
Car recall warning: could yours be at risk of fire? Consumer expert Louise Minchin shares the details.
cnbc.com
USA Rare Earth to buy Brazil's Serra Verde for $2.8 billion to build supply outside Asia
USA Rare Earth on Monday announced plans to buy Brazilian rare earths miner Serra Verde in a deal worth $2.8 billion in cash and shares.
theguardian.com
Electric car sales soar 51% in mainland Europe as Iran war drives up fuel prices
Data shows 224,000 new EVs were registered in March, with Norway leading way in terms of switchingSales of electric cars soared 51% in continental Europe last month, amid a rise in petrol and diesel costs driven by the Iran war.Data shows that 224,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in March, and 500,000 across the first three months of the year – a 33.5% increase on a year earlier, according to analysis of national sales data in 15 countries by New AutoMotive and E-Mobility Europe, a trade body. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Quarter of a million people could lose job by middle of 2027 as UK ‘flirts with recession’, analysis says
Twin reports from top accounting firms underline scale of economic threat as Iran war shatters business confidenceA quarter of a million people could lose their jobs by the middle of next year as Britain “flirts with recession”, analysis suggests, after business confidence was shattered by the US-Israel war on Iran.As the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, summoned bank chiefs for talks aimed at containing the fallout, twin reports from top accounting firms underlined the scale of the economic threat facing the UK. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fears more than 1,000 toads may have died after Welsh water firm drains reservoir
Conservationists in Denbighshire ‘angry and heartbroken’ after Nant-y-Ffrith site emptied during breeding seasonMore than 1,000 toads may have died after a reservoir important to the local ecosystem was drained by a water company, conservationists in north Wales have said.Volunteers at Wrexham Toad Patrols help toads returning to the Nant-y-Ffrith reservoir on the Llandegla moors in breeding season, this year assisting 1,500 of the amphibians to cross busy roads to help protect the declining species. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How the Iran war affects your money and bills
The conflict in the Middle East has increased pressure on the cost of petrol, household energy bills and even food.
theguardian.com
How can you tell if your boss has a big ego? Their email habits are a definite tell | Emma Beddington
Only those in unassailable positions of power would ditch capital letters – or reply to colleagues with a thumbs up emojii recently learned that, in february, jack dorsey – formerly of twitter, now of block – wrote a 600-word email announcing a mass layoff (4,000 employees) all in, you guessed it, lowercase.This was the jumping-off point for an investigation into the tech broligarchy’s “new language of power” by journalist Zak Jason for Business Insider. Jason conducted his own no-caps experiment, recklessly deploying lowercase in messages to his boss, colleagues, fellow parents and “every outreach to sources for this story – biz etiquette experts, comms gurus, & sam altman”. He agonised less and responded quicker, he concluded, but lost clarity. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What's happening to UK petrol and diesel prices?
UK petrol and diesel prices have started to fall after 46 consecutive days of rises at the pump.
cnbc.com
UniCredit boss plots Commerzbank shake-up as lender continues its takeover pursuit of German rival
UniCredit's CEO said the combination would deliver "significant cross-border value" and investment "firepower".
cnbc.com
China calls for ‘concerted’ industry efforts to tackle excess solar production
China is the undisputed global leader in solar energy, making more than 80% of the world's solar panel components.
theguardian.com
Trustpilot hosts reviews of illegal casinos, raising concern among MPs
Reviews website features pages praising unlicensed sites’ supposed qualities as if they were legitimate businessesTrustpilot, the reviews website that offers to “find a company you can trust”, is hosting ratings of illegal casinos, raising concerns in Westminster about the potential risks posed to consumers.Unlicensed casino operators linked to financial harm, addiction and even suicide have flooded the UK market in recent years, often targeting people who are trying to limit their gambling by “self-excluding” from licensed operators. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
My son was fined £500 just for dropping a cigarette butt
He said he was forcibly stopped from picking it up and promptly issued with the fixed-penalty noticeMy son was fined £500 after dropping a cigarette butt in Southwark, London. He says the enforcement officer physically prevented him from picking it up, and told him he would escape a fine if he provided ID, and the police would be called if he didn’t. He complied and was promptly issued with a fixed-penalty notice (FPN).However, £500 is more than a typical fine for a dangerous offence such as speeding. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Europe’s last coal – a photo essay
In Poland, 80,000 people still work in coalmines – the last in the European Union that is fully committed to the energy transition. Once active mines are being converted to other uses, and yet coal is being extracted at record rates worldwide, and with the Iran war pushing up oil and gas prices, some in Poland are asking whether it is worth completely phasing out this fossil fuelCoal dust is fine; it seeps into the pores of the skin. That is why a thin black line permanently traces the outline of Rafal Dzuman’s eyes, as if he were wearing makeup. Team leader of the G-2 mining crew, 49-year-old Rafal Dzuman has been descending every day to 700 metres below ground for at least 20 years, at the Murcki-Staszic coalmine in southern Poland. Opened in the mid-17th century and today owned by the Polish giant PGG, the mine sits on the southern outskirts of Katowice, and still extracts about 23,000 tonnes of coal a day.Katowice, Poland: Miners exit the lift after working in the coal-mining tunnels at the Murcki-Staszic Mine (PGG Group), located on the southern outskirts of the city. Coal mining began here in 1657; today, the mine’s daily production stands at about 23,000 tonnes Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Ship struck and Strait shut
A dramatic escalation in tension over the Strait of Hormuz drives oil prices and risk assets higher in early trade.
bbc.com
Debt problems in seaside town among UK's worst
A debt charity believes the town's seasonal job market is in part to blame.
cnbc.com
Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sees shares jump nearly 4% on first ever warship export deal
This will be Japan's first ever warship export project, and the first ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in 2029.
cnbc.com
China keeps benchmark lending rates unchanged as economic growth revs up, Mideast risks loom
The upbeat economic growth has reduced the urgency for fresh stimulus measures, prompting economists to postpone forecasts on the timing of interest rate cuts.
bbc.com
Why your recycled clothes could end up in this South American desert
Old garments from around the world are being discarded in the South American country.
cnbc.com
U.S. struck, seized Iranian-flagged ship Touska in Gulf of Oman, Trump says
The Iran-flagged Touska was on the U.S. Treasury's sanctions list because of a history of illegal activity, Trump said.
cnbc.com
Iran rebuffs Trump's plan for new round of peace talks, state media reports
Iran's top negotiator says his government has "no trust" in its enemies, after Trump says the U.S. won't be blackmailed.
bbc.com
Aer Lingus cancels some flights from summer schedule
The airline said the "vast majority of customers" are being accommodated on same-day services.
theguardian.com
Intemperate Trump brings chaos and confusion to Iran talks
US president’s unreliable style sows diplomatic confusion but leaves Tehran clear on strategic value of strait of HormuzDonald Trump’s decision to send US officials to Islamabad for further talks on Monday with Iran just 24 hours after Iran once again closed the strait of Hormuz will signal to Tehran that the strategic waterway remains a bargaining asset beyond parallel.It will also confirm in Iran’s eyes that the US president’s chaotic approach to diplomacy doubles the need for Tehran to act calmly and strategically – two competencies it believes he totally lacks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
We all share blame for the decline of our high streets | Brief letters
Buying habits | Trump’s messiah complex | Team Pope Leo XIV | Leaning towers | Mandelson vettingI sympathise with people mourning the demise of once‑loved stores and the pitiful state of their high streets (Wildings in Newport, Wales: the grand department store that became an illicit cannabis farm, 16 April). This is not the fault of the government, but rather a result of changing consumer habits. Perhaps we are all guilty. These shops are not charities, there to adorn the public realm. They are businesses and if people don’t shop there they will close. All that any government – national or local – can do is to help a well-designed shrinking of the retail estate by encouraging changes of use.Gillian WilliamsonLondon• The weirdest aspect of Donald Trump’s messiah complex cartoon (Trump deletes post with AI image of himself as Jesus-like figure after outcry, 13 April) is that the increasingly deranged, thin-skinned president appears to be trying to cure his long-time, eminently sane and extremely funny critic Jon Stewart.Jonathan WheelerBirstall, Leicester Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Independent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retail
About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidationFor years now, we have heard that Amazon and the big chains are crushing small businesses, but independent bookstores are suddenly making a comeback.About 422 new indie bookshops opened in 2025, according to the American Booksellers Association, a 31% rise from 2024. Countless independent restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, movie theaters, clothing stores and other small businesses also continue to thrive even in this era of ever-bigger retailers, fast-casual restaurants and massive e-commerce platforms. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Humanoid robots race past humans in Beijing half-marathon – video
Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots showed off their fast-improving athleticism as they whizzed past human runners in a half-marathon race in Beijing on Sunday. The robots and humans ran in parallel tracks to avoid collisions. The winning robot, developed by Honor, a well-known Chinese smartphone maker, finished the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, several minutes faster than the world record set by Jacob Kiplimo last month in Lisbon, though the humanoid had to be helped back up just metres from the finish line after crashing into the railingHumanoid robots show rapid advances as they race past humans in Beijing half-marathon Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Falling fertility, debt and AI: is the US headed toward a population crisis?
Americans having fewer kids plus an ageing population could be a recipe for disaster that further erodes social stabilityRemember environmentalist Paul Ehrlich’s 1960s-vintage prediction about how overpopulation would deplete the Earth’s resources and condemn millions to starvation? His Malthusian condemnation of humanity’s voracious appetite has kept a grip on the debate over the future of the planet, even scaring the young out of having children.Ehrlich was wrong. Yet as we have come around to the thought that overpopulation won’t kill us all, we are being walloped by another demographic emergency: we are not having too many kids, we are having too few. This problem is real. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Labour’s ‘crabwise’ approach to closer EU ties must address damage of Brexit | Heather Stewart
The damage to the economy dwarfs the upsides from the various non-EU trade deals the UK has struck since 2016Rachel Reeves joined EU finance ministers for dinner in Washington last week, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund spring meetings – the first time a chancellor had done so since Brexit.It was the latest symbolic step in Labour’s marked shift towards prioritising closer EU relations. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fee hikes, big bonuses, then bosses exit: the curious case of City & Guilds privatisation
Sale of vocational training brand and million-pound executive pay deals now subject to Charity Commission inquiryWhen electrician Charlie Butler was contacted by City & Guilds last autumn, he received a shock.He had branched out to launch a new company schooling future sparkies in Essex, offering City & Guilds-affiliated courses and qualifications. When the representative from the training charity called, Butler was expecting a quick conversation about a small uptick in the annual fees. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I don’t want to waste the gas’: Uber and Lyft drivers reeling as fuel prices soar
Drivers face dilemma of driving more or cutting back – and support from ride-share giants decried as ‘slap in the face’Drivers for Uber and Lyft across the US are spending hundreds more dollars on fuel each month after the US-Israel war on Iran triggered a sharp rise in oil prices.Support offered by the ride-hailing companies amounts to a “slap in the face”, drivers operating their services told the Guardian, as many are forced to choose between driving more to make the same money as previously – or cutting back their miles to reduce costs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Making a splash: demand for raw and ‘brewed’ milk growing in UK
Farmers and delivery firms launch new options for those seeking alternative to traditionally pasteurised productRaw milk has long been popular, as well as controversial, in the US. While health authorities warn it can carry harmful bacteria, supporters argue it is more natural, and it has also become tied to anti-government and “natural living” movements.In the UK, it is now gaining popularity, particularly among younger consumers, farmers say, as a less processed option, with new products launching to meet demand. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘London Marathon place for sale’: fraudsters chase after runners’ cash
As excitement mounts for the 2026 event on 26 April, fraudsters are cashing in by trying to persuade disappointed hopefuls they can run after allYou didn’t get a place for the London marathon on the ballot and had given up on the hope of taking part this year. But then someone in a discussion group on your running app posts that they are injured and are selling their place.After contacting them on WhatsApp, they say they can transfer the place once you pay £79 via bank transfer, and give your full name and email address. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Croatia, but cheaper': The quirky holiday spots on trend for 2026
Montenegro and Albania are among the places rising in popularity for Britons seeking a holiday away from tourist traps.
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
cnbc.com
Naomi Watts wants women to own their menopause journey: 'Why is it so taboo when we are half the population?'
Actress and entrepreneur Naomi Watts founded Stripes Beauty with a singular mission: helping women take control of menopause health and aging with confidence.
theguardian.com
As Franco Manca scales back, is the air going out of the sourdough pizza craze?
The restaurant is to cut more than a fifth of its outlets amid an onslaught from supermarkets and rival chainsWhen Franco Manca first opened in south London’s Brixton Market in 2008, its competitively priced sourdough pizzas served in a sophisticated setting quickly drew a buzz.“It was all the rage,” says food blogger Gerry del Guercio of BiteTwice, who visited in the early days and recalls the novelty of seeing queues forming for pizza in London. “It was just desperately cool, and everyone wanted to try.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Growing knowledge, growing yield: British wine-making comes of age
Changing climate, new techniques and a homegrown study programme have all helped drive a UK viticulture boomRows of vines stretch across the rolling hills of rural Dorset. Currently waist height, they appear bare against a bleak spring sky. Up close, you can see they are already dotted with tiny woolly buds as they exit their winter dormancy for a new growth cycle.Come summer these rows will be laden with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, ready to make the latest batch of English sparkling wine from the Langham estate near Dorchester. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Traders placed over $1bn in perfectly timed bets on the Iran war. What is going on?
Suspicious wagers on the US-Israel war in Iran are creating huge windfalls and raising concerns among lawmakersSixteen bets made $100,000 each accurately predicting the timing of the US airstrikes against Iran on 27 February. Later, a single user would make over $550,000 after betting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would topple, just moments before his assassination by Israeli forces. On 7 April, right before Donald Trump announced a temporary ceasefire with Iran, traders bet $950m that oil prices would come down. They did.These bets and other well-timed wagers accurately predicted the precise timing of major developments in the US-Israel war with Iran, creating huge windfalls and raising concerns among lawmakers and experts over potential insider trading. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The maternity and mortgage struggle of being self-employed: ‘It was overwhelming at times’
Buying a house or having a baby has turned into a financial nightmare for those who are their own bossHarriett Thompson started her maternity leave at the beginning of 2025, but at the start of this month she still had not received any of the statutory pay she was entitled to.The freelance makeup artist described what she says is a familiar experience for a lot of self-employed mothers. “Luckily [my partner] Alex started a long contract when our daughter was born, which has enabled us to get by … That’s coming to an end now, with no future work in sight, so I’m getting anxious about receiving the money,” she told us. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
We spoke to over 30 central bankers, policymakers and politicians. Here are their top concerns
From stagflation to energy security, policymakers spoke to CNBC about the biggest risks arising from the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.
theguardian.com
Can Europe avoid a summer of holiday flight and cross-Channel travel chaos?
Passengers face risk of cancellations due to fuel shortages – and long airport queues due to EU entry-exit systemWhat are your rights if your holiday flight is cancelled?Holidaymakers have faced numerous stresses in recent years when planning and budgeting for the sacred summer holiday. Holiday flights to Europe have kept growing despite a pandemic, a cost of living crisis and long airport queues, but summer 2026 threatens to bring fresh anxieties.Legacies of Brexit mean longer border checks for Britons and most non-EU nationals to get into much of Europe, and the US-Israel war on Iran has prompted fears that airlines may not have enough fuel for every scheduled flight. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: What people in power think the impact of the Iran war will be
Faisal Islam talks to some of the world's most powerful people about the conflict and the economy.
bbc.com
Mortgage rates show signs of falling after Iran war peak
Major lenders make rate reductions as markets take some heart from a possible truce in the Iran war.
bbc.com
Tinder and Zoom offer 'proof of humanity' eye-scans to combat AI
The tech aims to identify people's irises and stop the rise of fake accounts and malicious scams.
bbc.com
AI minister Kendall says she doesn't use AI at work
The Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary this week unveiled a £500m fund to boost British AI firms.
bbc.com
How to know if you're on an energy price cap tariff
Martin was shocked to learn how many people didn't know if they were on an energy price cap.
bbc.com
What is Claude Mythos and what risks does it pose?
The company's claim the AI tool can outperform humans at some hacking and cyber-security tasks has sparked fears in the financial world.
bbc.com
UK petrol and diesel prices fall after weeks of rises
Drivers have seen weeks of increases as the US-Israeli war with Iran pushed up wholesale oil prices.
bbc.com
Finance ministers and bankers raise serious concerns about Mythos AI model
Experts say Mythos potentially has an unprecedented ability to identify and exploit cyber-security weaknesses.
bbc.com
Nearly 160,000 uninsured cars seized on UK roads
Seizure numbers hit a 17-year high as an estimated 300,000 uninsured vehicles are driven each day.
bbc.com
Chinese carmaker patents voice-controlled 'in-vehicle toilet'
Seres' plans show how stiff competition in the EV space is putting pressure on carmakers to innovate.
theguardian.com
Homes for sale in England near marathon routes – in pictures
From running through open countryside in historic beauty spots to pounding the streets of London Continue reading...
bbc.com
Could a digital twin make you into a 'superworker'?
Firms say digital twins make staff more productive, but are they a potential legal minefield?
bbc.com
Rising value of Pokémon cards sparks smash and grab crime spree
Small shops across the UK are being targeted by thieves stealing collectibles worth thousands of pounds.
bbc.com
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings to step down as chairman
Hastings set up the company in 1997, when it rented DVDs to customers and delivered by post.
bbc.com
Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns
Flights could soon be cancelled if supplies from the Gulf remain blocked, says the International Energy Agency.
bbc.com
No issues with UK fuel supply, says Reeves
The chancellor was speaking at the end of the International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington.
theguardian.com
Private rents in Great Britain stop rising for first time since 2017
More landlords having to cut prices to secure tenants, Rightmove data showsAverage private rents have stopped rising in Great Britain after almost a decade of increases, as more landlords cut their prices to secure a tenant, data shows.The typical advertised private rent outside London for properties coming on to the market remained flat at £1,370 a calendar month in the first three months of 2026, according to the property website Rightmove. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Back to books - Sweden's schools cutting back on digital learning
Swedish classrooms swap laptops for books, pens and paper, raising concerns from the tech sector.
bbc.com
Quantum computing: A tech race Europe could win?
With some promising computing companies in the field, could Europe be a leader in quantum tech?
bbc.com
The Dutch village at risk of being demolished
Moerdijk has been earmarked for removal, to make way for a vast electricity substation.
bbc.com
'Every drop of water counts': Fear for the future of Argentina's glaciers
A controversial law to ease protections for the glaciers has passed, opening the doors for mining.
bbc.com
TV for dogs booms but are they watching?
TV channels for dogs are multiplying but research is mixed on whether dogs are watching.
bbc.com
The construction boss who built a new life after three years in prison
Traci Quinn, who was jailed for a drugs offence, has transformed herself and set up a successful firm.
bbc.com
The US refinery now processing Venezuelan oil
Chevron is now importing 250,000 barrels of crude per day from Venezuela.
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
cnbc.com
Register now: Applications open for the World's Top Fintech Companies 2026
CNBC and Statista chart the top fintech players from around the world, ranging from startups to Big Tech names.
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
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